In today’s world of mobile technology, social networks, pervasive satellite and sensor information, and machine-to-machine transactions, more data has been generated in the past two years alone in the form of big data than in all of the previous years combined. Data is becoming the lifeblood of many economies, and data-informed decision-making is more important than ever before.
However, the ability to use data in development policy and decision-making processes has not seen the same progress.
World Bank is bringing you the Big Data Innovation Challenge, under the theme ‘Rethinking climate resilience through big data solutions‘ to help them find solutions and analytical methodologies to use big data effectively to help inform climate-sensitive decisions across the globe.
This calls upon academics, entrepreneurs, innovators, students, businesses, as well as start-ups, university labs, private companies, nonprofits and public sector to play a role in addressing global climate issues through the creation and implementation of solutions.
“The shift to climate-resilient economies can occur only if the millions of decisions which are made across the globe on a daily basis are taking climate change factors and effects into account.”
Participants will identify and develop big data solutions which can help better understand the impacts of climate change, address its connected issues and positively influence decisions.
Participants will have to find big data solutions that address issues pertaining to two critical challenge areas:
Solutions:
Innovative big data solutions (anywhere from functional prototypes up to mature, market ready solutions).
These solutions might include but are not limited to analytical methodologies, APIs, algorithms, software applications, tools and new data set generation. Technologies may include artificial intelligence, crowd-sourcing applications, data science, dynamic visualizations, machine learning and predictive analytics among others.
Awards
Challenge Winners will be selected and awarded for the following categories:
Food Challenge:
Food Security or Nutrition – Best big data solution: 10,000 USD.
Landscapes Challenge:
Forestry or Watersheds – Best big data solution: 10,000 USD.
Honorable mentions:
(At least 3 honorable mentions for most innovative big data solution and other recognition awards to be announced in the near future)
All winning projects will be recognized through public communications from the World Bank Group and may be mentioned as part of a high-profile international development event. The World Bank Group may also decide to invite various participants to present their work at a workshop to facilitate dialogue and knowledge exchange.
How to Apply:
By entering the Innovation Challenge, applicants fully and unconditionally agree to be bound by the criteria and requirements of the Challenge. Click on the link to apply.
Deadline for submission is November 9th, 2016 at 5:00pm Eastern Daylight Time (12:00am East African Time)
